"Good lord, it's been so little time, and this world... is already entering competitive arms race mode?"
On stage, Yuri Sakazaki's aura had climbed to its peak!
"Kyokugenryu Ultimate: Mini Haoh Shoukou Ken!"
She let out a delicate cry, concentrating power between her palms and releasing an orange energy sphere—small in size but lightning-fast!
Chang Koehan had no time to react before this "concentrated essence" energy ball slammed squarely into his belly. That two-hundred-plus kilogram massive body flew like a swatted ball, screaming as it sailed out of bounds...
KO!
After a brief deathly silence, the entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Tch, just luck." Though Tsukihime's words remained disdainful, those tightly clenched small fists betrayed her inner turmoil.
[Ding! Yata Tsukihime's heart violently fluctuated: Wha... what?! Even this silly-looking woman comprehended Domain power?! Damn! I... I need to work twice as hard! Can't let her show me up!]
Hearing the system's "simultaneous translation," Cloud nearly laughed aloud.
The following matches continuously confirmed his "competitive escalation" hypothesis.
The Psycho Soldiers Team appeared.
Athena—this psychic idol—brought everyone a huge surprise upon taking the stage!
Her [Absolute Domain] had solidified from KOF 94's "barely scratching the surface" to a full 30%!
Pink psychic power swirled around her, even condensing into two crystal-clear, magnificent energy wings! Making her look like a goddess descended to earth!
She no longer needed her master and senior brother's protection.
"Psychic Blade!"
With a wave of her jade hand, a several-meter-long pink lightsaber formed of pure psychic power tore through the air with a sharp whistle, cleanly bisecting her opponent's raging fighting spirit!
That precise control of power, that confidence and composure belonging to the strong—the entire venue cheered wildly!
"Wow! Athena-oneechan is so cool! Just like you, Cloud-oniisan—you both glow!" Aoi's eyes turned into stars again.
"Hmph, flashy but impractical." Tsukihime's lips curled slightly.
[Ding! Yata Tsukihime's heart violently fluctuated: Wow! This big sister is so pretty! Sings beautifully, fights amazingly! And... she seems really close to that Cloud guy... Damn! Another rival!]
Cloud: "..."
He felt like he'd heard something incredible in those "inner thoughts."
What truly pushed this "competitive storm" to its climax was Terry's appearance.
His opponent was a newly crowned American fighting champion, also someone who'd comprehended the Absolute Domain.
However, when Terry slowly walked onto the stage, removing his signature red vest to reveal bronze muscles covered in scars and explosive power...
An aura more wild, more domineering than everyone before combined—threatening to flip the entire Tokyo Dome—erupted!
"AWOOO—!!!!"
An inhuman howl filled with infinite battle intent resounded through the heavens!
Terry's exploding Absolute Domain swept out like a tsunami, actually cracking the entire stage floor into spider-web patterns!
That power was so pure, so wild!
This was... after experiencing South Town's bloody battles, death matches with top-tier bosses like Geese and Krauser... the ultimate power belonging to the "Legendary Wolf"!
[Absolute Domain 45%]!!!
"My... good lord..."
In the spectator seats, someone had collapsed into their chair in fright.
"This... this guy, did he eat Godzilla?!"
Even Tsukihime's perpetually aloof face showed, for the first time, a trace of undeniable... emotion.
"You're... you're kidding, right? This level of power..."
On stage, Terry's opponent—under that solid, terrifying aura pressure—had already gone weak in the knees, unable to stand steady.
"POW... GEYSER—!!"
Terry didn't even close in. He simply slammed both fists hard into the ground!
BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!!!!
Three!
Three entire pillars—larger and more solid than last year—of golden energy light erupted like three awakening primordial dragons, instantly completely swallowing his opponent along with that fragile [Absolute Domain]!
When the light faded, only that figure slowly withdrawing his fists, standing like a war god, remained on stage.
And a human-shaped scorch mark burned black by energy on the ground.
The entire venue fell deathly silent.
Everyone was completely shocked by Terry's unreasonable, crushing power.
"Tch... that's... just that much." Tsukihime forced these words through gritted teeth. But that slightly trembling voice completely betrayed her inner shock.
Hearing the system's broadcast of this "epic backpedaling scene," Cloud finally couldn't help but laugh.
He slowly removed his sunglasses, looking at those old friends on stage who seemed to have "activated cheats," his eyes also igniting with fierce battle intent.
"Times have changed."
He murmured to himself.
"Looks like winning the championship this year at KOF won't be... so easy."
"However..."
An extremely confident, mischief-filled smile curved his lips.
"This way... makes it more interesting, doesn't it?"
...
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